Guards and centers are far from the most exciting positions to track in the NFL draft. But that doesn't mean hitting on the right interior linemen isn't an important part of developing a championship roster.

Consider the last four Super Bowl champions. The Baltimore Ravens (Marshal Yanda), New York Giants (Chris Snee), Green Bay Packers (Josh Sitton) and New Orleans Saints (Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks) all had top-flight guards in their staring lineups.

It shouldn’t be a surprise then that both the best guard and best center in the 2013 draft class hail from college football's two-time reigning national champions.

1. Chance Warmack, G, Alabama (6-2, 317). Warmack is built to control the action inside, combining his powerful frame with smooth feet and strong hands. He looks the part of a durable long-time Pro Bowler. He's the "safest" pick in the early first round, and the Jets (No. 9) and Titans (No. 10) are the likeliest landing spots.

2. Jonathan Cooper, G, North Carolina (6-2 1/8, 311). The more you study Cooper, the harder it becomes to find much difference between Warmack and him. He offers more athleticism but can’t match Warmack’s mauling presence. He shouldn't last long on the board in the first round once Warmack is taken.

3. Justin Pugh, G, Syracuse (6-4 1/2, 307). Pugh moves well and is a smooth athlete, but he also is facing the challenge of needing to move from his college position of left tackle. If he can build up his strength and power, he has the natural blocking skills to be a very good left guard. He should be a mid-to-high second-round pick.

4. Barrett Jones, C, Alabama (6-4, 306). There is nothing flashy about Jones' strength or athleticism, but he makes up for it in three key areas as an offensive line leader—smarts, efficiency and technique. He has an outside shot to go at the end of the first round but more likely will be a second-rounder.

5. Travis Frederick, C, Wisconsin (6-3 5/8, 312). Frederick is similar to Jones in terms of intelligence, sound technique and background in an elite college rushing attack. Given the Badgers' offensive line pedigree (see Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz as inside players drafted highly last year), Frederick will be taken a few picks after Jones.

6. Brian Winters, G, Kent State (6-4, 320). Winters needs to move inside because he lacks the height and athleticism to play tackle. He is fortunate to have the weight, strength and durability to make a successful transition. Expect him to go in the second or third round.

7. Brian Schwenke, C, California (6-3, 314). He is a strong blocker who uses his hands, legs and body well to get into a power position against defenders. He may be a little short on quickness and needs experience snapping and making line calls after playing only his senior season at center, but Schwenke still projects as a late second-rounder or early third-rounder.

8. Larry Warford, G, Kentucky (6-3 1/4, 332). As you expect with his mass, Warford is hard to move out of the way and is in a comfort zone as a mauler. He will need to improve his feet and movement to handle the more explosive defensive tackles in the NFL. He has a third-round look, but some team may jump on him earlier.

9. Khaled Holmes, C, USC (6-3, 302). He was a fine athletic lineman for the Trojans, and his quickness and footwork make him ideal for zone blocking. Holmes is a good option late in the third round or fourth round.

10. Alvin Bailey, G, Arkansas (6-3, 312). With his quickness, Bailey is another good candidate to thrive in a zone-blocking scheme. He should be taken in the fourth round by a team that uses that system.

11. Braxston Cave, C, Notre Dame (6-3 1/4, 303). He was the leader of a versatile Fighting Irish line and was a consistent run-blocking force. Cave is more of a project as he works on improving his footwork and technique to hold up better in the NFL. He should go anywhere from the late fourth to mid-fifth round.

12. J.C. Tretter, G, Cornell (6-3 5/8, 307). Tretter was an athletic, intelligent college tackle who will need to bulk up and get stronger to hold up inside in the NFL. His line instincts put him on the fifth-round radar.

13. P.J. Lonergan, C, LSU (6-3, 304). Lonergan is another smart prospect with good leadership qualities who comes from a high-level college run-blocking scheme. Because his power and leverage aren't quite what they need to be to start in the NFL right now, Lonergan looks more like a fifth- or sixth-round pick.

14. Garrett Gilkey, G, Chadron State (6-5 7/8, 318). On paper, Gilkey has the strength, power and agility to develop into an NFL starter. But as a small-school prospect, there are questions about how high of a level he can compete. That makes him a fifth-rounder at best.

15. Eric Herman, G, Ohio (6-4 1/8, 320). Herman was a steady, sturdy run blocker for the Bobcats and should get picked in the sixth round.

16. Hugh Thornton, G, Illinois (6-3 1/4, 320). Thornton is strong with long arms. His size will get him drafted by the late sixth or early seventh round.